Uganda Telecom, Alcatel-Lucent and RIM announce the launch of the BlackBerry® solution in Uganda

Uganda Telecom Ltd, an innovative telecoms operator in Uganda, Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the launch of the BlackBerry® wireless solution in Uganda. Under a distribution agreement, Alcatel-Lucent is providing integration and support services to Uganda Telecom in order to offer the BlackBerry solution on Uganda Telecom‘s network. Uganda Telecom customers will now be able to enjoy the freedom and productivity benefits of using a BlackBerry smartphone to access email, browse the web, make phone calls, send and receive text and picture messages, as well as access thousands of applications when on the move.

The BlackBerry solution enables enhanced communications and increased employee productivity for those on the move, offering Uganda Telecom’s enterprise customers the ability to achieve a competitive advantage. Consumers using BlackBerry® smartphones will also enjoy the flexibility of being able to stay connected to people and information while on the go.

The BlackBerry solution provides exceptional functionality and performance together with an intuitive user experience. “Customers will be able to use their BlackBerry smartphone on Uganda Telecom’s network as well as networks in over 60 other countries thanks to our 120 global roaming relationships,” said Uganda Telecom CEO Eng Abdulbaset Elazzabi. Regarding Uganda Telecom’s partnership with Alcatel-Lucent, he added: “We have already seen great interest for BlackBerry smartphones among a diverse range of companies and professionals. We are pleased to be working with Alcatel-Lucent to deliver the BlackBerry solution to our customers and by working closely with Alcatel-Lucent we have ensured the seamless integration of the BlackBerry solution into our mobile network.”

Based on its distribution agreement with RIM, Alcatel-Lucent will provide integration services and leverage its strong local presence in the region to provide Uganda Telecom with the end-to-end implementation, launch, and on-going support for delivering the BlackBerry® service to the Ugandan market. With Alcatel-Lucent managing integration and deployment, Uganda Telecom will be able to focus on delivering customer facing services, enabling the operator to quickly meet market demand.

“This contract further reinforces Alcatel-Lucent’s ability to leverage our global strengths and local presence to deliver enterprise-managed communications and extend value-added services, enabling operators to quickly meet market demand. As a result Uganda Telecom customers will be able to enjoy the freedom and flexibility afforded by BlackBerry smartphones for staying connected to communications and information whenever they wish” said Olivier Picard, European and South region.

RIM is the company behind the popular and proven BlackBerry solution, which provides businesses and individuals with easy-to-use wireless access to email, phone, Internet, text messaging, organiser and other mobile data applications. Initially Uganda Telecom will offer customers the BlackBerry® 8800 smartphone, the BlackBerry® 8700 smartphone and the BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8100 smartphone.

“We are pleased to extend the availability of the BlackBerry solution to Uganda in cooperation with Uganda Telecom and Alcatel-Lucent,” said Charmaine Eggberry, Vice President and Managing Director of RIM, EMEA. “BlackBerry smartphones are a great choice for organizations and individuals that strive to be more productive, flexible and ultimately more successful in work and life.”